RAPPED: Nicolas Anelka denied the gesture he made was connected to anti-Semitism [ACTION IMAGES]

The West Brom striker is being investigated by the FA for his controversial goal celebration and could be hit with a minimum five-match ban.

Politicians and anti-racism campaigners claim he should also face the full force of the law back home in France.

Anelka marked his first goal in Saturday's 3-3 draw at West Ham with a gesture known in France as 'la quenelle' - or a reverse Nazi salute.

The 34-year-old claims afterwards he did it in support of his friend, comedian Dieudonne M’bala M’bala, who the French government want to ban from performing due to his extreme right-wing views.

Yesterday he added: “I am neither racist nor anti-Semitic. The meaning of quenelle is anti-system. I do not know what religion has to do with this story. This gesture is a dedication to Dieudonne.”

French sports minister Valerie Fourneyron had claimed: “Anelka’s gesture is a shocking provocation, disgusting. There’s no place for anti-Semitism on the football field.”

The FA are now in talks with anti-discrimination campaign group ‘Kick It Out’ and prominent members of the Jewish community.

If they decide to charge him, Anelka could receive an instant five-game ban, or even longer.FIFA recently handed Croatia’s Josip Simunic a 10-match ban for leading fascist chanting following his team’s World Cup play-off victory over Iceland.